Sport has completely changed my life, made me a happy person, and taught me to handle all kinds of pressure. I say to every woman who believes it's too late, believe in your abilities and seek the goal you wish to achieve.
She continued: "Sport continues to play a crucial role in my life. When I run, I feel that all problems and pressures begin to fade away from the horizon of my life, and it gives me the energy to face every obstacle with a sharp mind and high confidence."
A sporting career rich in achievements Mariam Al-Bloushi's sporting record today includes nearly 60 medals and features several highlights. She said: "In the field of running, I have won five medals for full marathons of 42 km, having participated in about five half-marathon races of 21 km, in addition to about 40 races of 10 km and about 15 races of 5 km."
In a new scene that breaks the familiar stereotypes about life stages, Dr. Mariam Al-Bloushi, 52, a mother of six and a grandmother of two, stands today not to close the pages of life and take to rest, but as a renewable energy source brimming with life, and a human model who has excelled in a difficult field like geology, leading an innovative team to improve oil extraction in one of the largest companies in the UAE.
Between the strength and courage of the female athlete who defies the barriers of rugged races and long marathon distances, and scientific excellence, Mariam has thus redefined the concept of time and the value of achievement, confirming through her successful journey in sports and profession that human strength and strong will know no finish line.
A journey of challenges At the beginning of her interview with "Emirates Today," Dr. Mariam Al-Bloushi began her talk with confidence about the paradox of age and achievement, setting a different frame for the fifties. She said: "I am happy to be a reason to change that prevalent stereotypical image of a grandmother, which some imagine as an elderly lady who stays at home and waits for the days to pass in tranquility and peace."
Therefore, I decided to break these rules and limitations through a clear message, which is that age is just a number, and it is never too late to embark on this sports journey with enthusiasm, even if I reach the age of 80."
Regarding her journey, which actually started after her sixth child, that is, at the age of 33, Al-Bloushi talked about the details of the radical transformation in her lifestyle, saying: "It is true that I married at a young age and entered the field of work starting in 2005 as a geologist, but the turning point in sports actually began in 2006, when martial arts attracted me, so I started practicing karate, in which I became passionate."
She continued: "When I traveled to Scotland in 2014 to obtain a doctorate, I did not stop practicing sports and continued training there, achieving advanced positions among the top three in karate competitions in Edinburgh. In 2018, I returned holding a doctorate in geology and a second-degree black belt in karate, and here I began a search for new challenges that led me to the world of running."
An inspiring message Mariam Al-Blousi addressed an inspiring message to every woman who believes that time has passed, saying: "I wish every woman would care for herself and her health greatly, as the journey concerns her and no one else," adding, "Believe in your abilities and seek the goal you wish to achieve. Do it for yourself and be a source of strength for those around you, and do not let age or childbirth be an obstacle to achievement."
Multiple pressures For Mariam Al-Bloushi, sport was not just a hobby to fill her free time, but a safe haven and a lifeline amid the heavy storms of her personal life. She said: "There is no doubt that sport has completely changed my life, made me a happy person, and taught me discipline, flexibility, and the ability to bear all kinds of pressure after I went through difficult family circumstances that I faced and faced tremendous pressure."
Moreover, the matter did not stop at running races, as she also participated in "Spartan" races that combine running and obstacles, in addition to successfully participating in mountain "Trail Run" races in Wadi Al-Hulu in the Hajjar and Miliha mountains, which require extra effort to run in rugged terrain, and I won first place in the 2024 UFC Fitness Challenge, and was also crowned in the tactical games in Al Dhafra."
Her relationship with the "ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon" Regarding her relationship with the "ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon," Al-Bloushi confirmed that her participation in it is an annual ritual that she never hesitates towards, since its launch in 2018. She added: "My participation in this race has become a routine and an integral part of my life, and this year I limited myself to a 10 km distance due to insufficient training due to transient health issues, but I always insist on continuity and finishing the race, as the real medal for me is reaching the finish line."
Difficult but successful equations In the context of her experiences, Dr. Mariam Al-Blousi stopped at the difficult equation between excellence in her leadership position and the success of her family responsibilities, saying: "The matter is about priorities. For me, sport is not a marginal part of life, but a top priority, and this is what constantly drives me to train six days a week, five of them within the framework of the sports club, and one day dedicated to running," stressing that good time management and prioritization is the key to her success in managing her life and her responsibilities at home and for her children. "I have accustomed my children since childhood to self-reliance, and my time I have succeeded in organizing and dividing in the best way to be sufficient for me to complete all my tasks."
